Bihar Police Use Tear Gas and Lathi-Charge to Disperse Student Protest Over NEET Paper Leak

Police in Patna used water cannons, tear gas shells, and a baton charge on Wednesday to halt a student march heading toward Raj Bhavan. Organized by student organizations, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.

Clashes Erupt at JP Golambar Near Gandhi Maidan

The demonstration began near Patna University before moving toward the Governor’s residence. Security personnel set up multi-layered barricades near JP Golambar, approximately three kilometers from Raj Bhavan, to stop the procession. As student leaders attempted to push through the barricades, police issued dispersal warnings. When the crowd refused to backtrack, security forces deployed water cannons and tear gas shells, followed by a lathi-charge to clear the area. Several student leaders and participants were detained, while others staged a sit-in on the main road in protest against the police action. 'Don't Waste Our Time': CJI Surya Kant Rejects Videos in Plea Over Police Action on CJP Protest.

Demands for Resignation and Systematic Exam Reforms

Protesters raised slogans against the Ministry of Education and the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging systemic failure in securing national-level competitive exams. Speaking during the rally, CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Sourav stated that the agitation reflects nationwide anger among students whose futures have been put at risk due to repeated paper leaks and administrative oversights. Demonstrators called for a comprehensive investigation into testing procedures, accountability at the ministerial level, and the restructuring of the entrance examination framework.

Growing Agitation in Delhi and CJP Protests

The escalation in Patna comes amidst a broader, nationwide student movement centered in New Delhi. Over the past several weeks, youth groups, activist networks, and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have been organizing sit-ins and marches to Parliament at Jantar Mantar. Student leaders in Bihar noted that Wednesday’s 'Lok Bhavan march' was held partly in response to recent heavy-handed police actions against demonstrators in the national capital. Opposition leaders, including Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, have condemned the police actions in both Delhi and Patna, criticizing the government’s handling of student grievances. 'If an Ignorant Person Leads the Country': Naseeruddin Shah Slams Crackdown on Student Protesters (Video).

Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons as Student March in Patna Turns Violent

Local Political Fallout and Assembly Stand-Off

The student agitation in Patna coincided with heated exchanges inside the Bihar State Legislature during its ongoing session. Opposition parties continuously interrupted legislative proceedings, demanding a formal debate on recurring examination paper leaks in the state and across the country. Local authorities stated that police deployment around key administrative zones in Patna remains heightened to prevent further unannounced demonstrations while official investigations into the exam irregularities continue.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 02:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).